Western Oregon Defeats Bearcats, 13-3

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

KEIZER, ORE. -- Western Oregon University built a 6-0 lead in the first three innings and went on to defeat Willamette University, 13-3, in a non-conference baseball game on Tuesday, April 10 at Volcanoes Stadium. The Wolves' starting pitcher, Griffin Webb, allowed just one hit in the first four innings, then gave way to five relievers who limited the Bearcats to six more hits the rest of the way. Western Oregon, from NCAA Division II, moved to 16-15 on the season, while Willamette,which competes in NCAA Division III, fell to 13-16.

Western Oregon scored two runs in the first inning, added three more in the second stanza and plated one run in the third. Willamette achieved its first run in the fifth inning. WOU tacked on four runs in the sixth inning for a 10-1 lead.

The Bearcats used 23 players during the game, while Western put a total of 19 players into the game. The Wolves were led Bryan Stone, Randy Summers and Roberto Reyes with two hits apiece. WOU also received a bases-loaded double from Joe McCormick.

Willamette's top offensive effort came from Colin Young (Jr., OF, Portland, OR/Lincoln HS)., who went 2 for 2 and scored a run. Five other Bearcats earned one hit apiece, including Jack McGee (So,., SS, Hillsborough, CA/St. Ignatius HS) who belted a double down the right field line in the seventh inning.

McGee scored two of Willamette's runs. He reached base on a fielder's choice in the fifth stanza and scored WU's first run later in the inning on a double by Jordan Roberts (So., LF, Portland, OR/Grant HS). He recorded Willamette's third run following his double in the seventh inning. He moved to third on a ground out and eventually crossed the plate on a two-out single by Ty Eriksen (Sr., LF, Vancouver, WA/La Salle HS).

Young tallied Willamette's second run after pounding out a double in the sixth inning. He later scored on a wild pitch by Kris Smith, who entered the game in the sixth and threw just one inning.

Webb was credited with win for the Wolves. He improved to 3-2 on the season. Willamette starter Matt Bicocca (Jr., San Andreas CA/Calaveras HS) took the loss for the Bearcats, as he dropped to 0-1 on the season.

WOU struck out nine batters and Willamette fanned eight, but with Western using six pitchers and Willamette using seven, no pitcher recorded more than two strikeouts during the game. The Wolves outhit the Bearcats, 14-7.

Willamette will play a three-game Northwest Conference series at Linfield College in McMinnville, Ore., on Saturday, April 14 and Sunday, April 15. On Saturday, the Bearcats and the Wildcats will play a doubleheader, starting at 12 p.m. (PDT). On Sunday, the teams will play a single game at noon.